Developer planning 350-unit project in Worcester

WORCESTER — The Planning Board has cleared the way for a developer to pursue plans to redevelop an area off Franklin Street, not far from Union Station, into more than 350 units of housing.

By a 4-0 vote, the Planning Board Wednesday night agreed to remove Hygeia Street from the city's official map. Hygeia Street is a private street that runs between Arctic and Plastics streets.

The developer sought to have the street removed from the official map so the street could be included within the scope of the development area, according to Jeff Howland of JH Engineering, representing DOK Realty.

Mr. Howland said DOK Realty and its subsidiaries own and control all five parcels on Hygeia Street.

Those properties are among seven separate properties in that area that are part of a proposed full-scale development that would include more than 350 units of housing and more than 500 off-street parking spaces.

The seven separate properties to be redeveloped are all owned by Ding On "Tony" Kwan of Framingham, under three separate limited liability corporations.

The area to be redeveloped is within walking distance of Union Station, Washington Square and the Canal District. It is also adjacent to the elevated portion of Interstate 290 and next to part of the CSX freight terminal on Franklin Street and the Franklin Street fire station.

A letter of objection to the street removal was filed with the Planning Board on behalf of Graphics Group Realty Trust, the owner of a five-story building at 33 Arctic St. that is primarily used for manufacturing and offices.

John Altomare, a lawyer representing the trust, said his client's concerns have to do with the impact that the development project will have on the availability of on-street parking in that area.

He said his client's building at 33 Arctic St. is right around the corner from Hygeia Street, and it needs 40 on-street parking spaces for those who work in it. He said all parking for the business there is provided on the street.

Mr. Altomare pointed out the developer has petitioned the Zoning Board of Appeals for relief from 278 required off-street parking spaces. He said if that off-street parking relief is granted, it could make it difficult for those who work at 33 Arctic St. to find on-street parking.

"We are in favor of the development overall, but we are very concerned about the parking situation," he said. "We have to object to the removal of the street from the city map without knowing what the impact to parking in the area is going to be."

The Planning Board is obligated to deny a request for the removal of a street from the official city map if a "party of interest" objects to it.

A party of interest is defined as one that has rights on a private street and would be adversely affected if the street were removed from the map.

In this instance, Deputy City Solicitor Michael Traynor said the property owner at 33 Arctic St. would not be considered a party of interest because the removal of Hygeia Street from the official city map would not adversely impact the ability to get to that property.

As a result, he said, the Planning Board is not precluded from taking action on the request.

The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to take up items related to the redevelopment project on Sept. 30.

Mr. Howland pointed out that the developer would not be able to proceed with that hearing if the Planning Board did not act on the request to remove Hygeia Street from the official city map because part of the project involves development on part of that street.

Planning Board members agreed that access and travel to 33 Arctic St. would not be impacted by the removal of Hygeia Street.

"On-street parking belongs to everyone; it's not there for one specific owner," said board member Stephen Rolle.

Mr. Kwan has already won approval to redevelop four abandoned warehouses in that area and convert them into housing.

But he now wants to dramatically increase the scope of the project by razing some buildings, constructing new ones and building additional floors to some of the existing buildings.

In addition, the developer is also looking to add a five-story parking garage as part of the project.

On Sept. 30, the Zoning Board of Appeals will take up a request to amend the special permit that had been approved for the project in April so the project can be expanded in scope.